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ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

Presented by:

Allan B. Fraser, CBI, CPCA 

Senior Building Code Specialist

NFPA

2014 NFPA Conference & Expo

ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and

Facilities“The Little Engine That Could”

A117.1 – 2015 Edition to Halfway Point

• 1st meeting – Aug. 2012 – 5 days

• 2nd meeting – Jan. 2013 – 5 days

• 3rd meeting – July 2013 – 5 days

• 4th meeting – Jan. 2014 – 5 days

• 5th meeting – July 2014 – 3 days

Total = 23 days

July 14‐16, 

2014

Committee meeting to complete 1st draft 

comments

Aug. 2014 Ballot sent

Sept. 2014 Deadline ballot returns

Oct. 2014 Ballot recirculation & post 2nd draft

Dec. 2014 Committee meeting to consider 2nd draft 

comments

Jan. 2015 Ballot sent and Pub Comment report open for 

comments

Feb. 2015 Recirculate ballot & unresolved comments

Mar. 2015 Ballot to publish standard

April 2015 Recirculate ballot comments

May 2015 Publish standard

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Proposals For The Last Two Cycles

612

487

80

125

2042

20 22

297

191

64

102

34 4221 21

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Total Committee % Public Percentage # of Submitters Committee Public

Submissions

232

82

50

22 20 2015 13 13 11 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 6 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

0

50

100

150

200

250

Paarlberg

Rother

Steinfeld

Marinelli

Falstad

Stew

art

Feibleman

Reed

Wai

Toji

Black

Him

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Bauman

Gettlem

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Hilberry

Hirsch

Kent

Swatkowski

Boeker

Hetzel

Hillbery/Collins

Budev

Alaird

Cooper

Hughes

Zukas

Perry

Pruitt

Anderson

Ingram

Snyder

Stratton

Wen

White

Biddle

Clawson

Gaskins

Ken

dzior

Lozano

Nordin

Pipher

Wen

dt Jr.

Number of proposed Sections with changes

Submitter

# submitted

Chapter Titles1‐Application & Administration3‐Building Blocks4‐Accessible Routes

5‐General Site and Building Elements6‐Plumbing Elements and Facilities7‐Communication Elements and Features8‐Special Rooms and Spaces

9‐Built‐In Furnishings and Equipment10‐Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units11‐Recreational Facilities

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A117.1 – 1961 Edition - Scope

• 1.1.1 This standard applies to all buildings and facilities used by the public. It applies to temporary or emergency conditions as well as permanent conditions. It does not apply to private residences.

• 1.1.2 This standard is concerned with non-ambulatory disabilities, semi-ambulatory disabilities, sight disabilities, hearing disabilities, disabilities of incoordination, and aging.'

A117 – 1961 Edition - Purpose

• 1.2 Purpose, This standard is intended to make all buildings and facilities used by the public accessible to, and functional for, the physically handicapped, to, through and within their doors, without loss of function, space, or facility where the general public is concerned. It supplements existing American Standards, and reflects great concern for safety of life and limb. In cases of practical difficulty, unnecessary hardship, or extreme differences, administrative authorities may grant exceptions from the literal requirements of this standard or permit the use of other methods or materials, but only when it is clearly evident that equivalent facilitation and protection are thereby secured.

A117 – 1961 Edition - Scoping

• 2.13 Appropriate Number. As used in this text, appropriate number means the number of a specific item that would be necessary, in accord with the purpose and function of a building or facility, to accommodate individuals with specific disabilities in proportion to the anticipated number of individuals with disabilities who would use a particular building or facility.

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A117 – 1961 Edition – Scoping Discussion• EXAMPLE: Although these specifications shall apply to all buildings and

facilities used by the public, the numerical need for a specific item would differ, for example, between a major transportation terminal, where many individuals with diverse disabilities would be continually coming and going, an office building or factory, where varying numbers of individuals with disabilities of varying manifestations (in many instances, very large numbers) might be employed or have reason for frequent visits, a school or church, where the number of individuals may be fixed and activities more definitive, and the many other buildings and facilities dedicated to specific functions and purposes.

• NOTE: Disabilities are specific and where the individual has been properly evaluated and properly oriented and where architectural barriers have been eliminated, a specific disability does not constitute a handicap. It should be emphasized that more and more of those physically disabled are becoming participants, rather than spectators, in the fullest meaning of the word.

Where Did A117.1 Come From?

• 1945-National Disability Employment Awareness Month

• 1947 - “President's Committee on National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week."

• 1959 - The American Standards Assoc. called a general conference resulting in a recommendation for a standard.

Where Did A117.1 Come From?

• The 1961 edition was the first edition of ANSI Standard A117.1

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A New Player!

• In 1968 the ABA become law • The ABA requires access to

facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds.

• Created a duel path, one for “Federal” buildings and one for “Private” ones.

• 1971 - A117.1 Re-issued

President Lyndon Johnson, who signed the ABA into law in August 1968, characterized barriers to access as a failure on the part of government that perpetuated “cruel discrimination.”

More New Players!

• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 502 created the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board , later re-named the Access Board.

• The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978

Shifting Strategies!• A117.1 – 1986 Edition

• Included a special effort to remove application criteria (scoping requirements).

• July 26, 1990 • President George Bush signed the

ADA into law. The ADA expanded the Access Board's

• July 26, 1991• The Access Board published

it’s guidelines and the Department of Justice adopted ADAAG

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Still Shifting Strategies!

• A117 – 1992 Edition

• Major changes

• Moving large chunks out of coverage

• Relinquishing decisions to others

Still Shifting Strategies!

• 1992 –

• Four paths:• one for “Federal” buildings

(ADA/UFAS) • two for “Private” buildings

(A117.1 & Building Code)• one for some of both (ADAAG).

Shifting Back!

• 1998 edition substantially reformatted

• Figures moved back next to corresponding text

• Text further split adding Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

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2003 edition

• Added criteria for children’s elements

• Enhanced reach ranges

• Added Transportation facilities

• Addition & rearrangement for dwelling units (ADAAG & FHAG)

2009 edition

• Added Type “C” units

• Variable message signs

• New Chapter for recreational facilities

• Location for toilet paper dispensers

So How Important is the 2015 Edition of A117.1?

• Accessibility isn’t just the law……….

• Its very good business!

• But only if we make businesses accessible!!!!!!!

Millions of people with disabilities are passionate travelers. However, they need to overcome numerous troubles because of the lack of attention tourism stakeholders pay to this group of globetrotters. 

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Dr. Peter Blanck• Title of “University Professor” at Syracuse

University granted to only 8 prior individuals in the history of the University.

• Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.

• Appointments:

• Articles and books:

• Trustee: Former member:

Economic Impact

• Hiring people with disabilities makes good economic sense for the nation, as well as the individual employer. "More than $109 billion annually goes to support people with disabilities who are unemployed," says Blanck

Dr. Douglas L. Kruse• If only one million more people with

disabilities found work, there would be an annual increase of as much as $21.2 billion in earned income.

• There would be annual decreases of $1.2 billion in means-tested cash income payments; $286 million in Food Stamps; and $1.8 billion in Supplemental Security Income payments; 284,000 people fewer people would be using Medicaid, and 166,000 fewer would be using Medicare

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Hiring Employees with Disabilities• The ADA outlawed discrimination

against people with disabilities. It was a turning point. Companies have learned that the benefits of hiring workers with disabilities far outweighed the costs.

• Pizza Hut, Inc.'s Jobs Plus™ Program. • Carolina Fine Snacks in Greensboro,

NC. • Blanck notes "The cost of

accommodating qualified workers with disabilities is forty times less than the cost of training and replacing workers"

How Important is the 2015 edition of A117.1?

The potential is huge:• Accessibility awareness and

legal action have grown significantly in the past 4 years.

• DOJ has well over 400 settlements

• Two major Federal Court Cases• Los Angeles• New York City

How Important is the 2015 edition of A117.1?

• ADA-ABA/AG• Enforced by DOJ – Not local• No plan review – Done in

hindsight• Conflicts with Technology

Transfer Act

• Fair Housing Act• Last updated in 1988 (26 years)• Guidelines have not been

updated since 1991 (23 years)

• A117.1• Enforced locally, IF adopted• Viewed as an “add-on”• Often unclear as to scoping

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2015 edition - Major Areas of Work/Discussion:

Potential Return to Scoping

Use of the word “accessible”

Harmonization with 2010 DOJ Standard

Remove Type B (Fair Housing) units

Anthropomorphic – Adults v. children

Definitions added to harmonize with

DOJ/ADA

Sizes of floor spaces & related

dimensions such as clearances and

maneuvering

Modifications to Reach Ranges or

adding items covered by them

Clarification of language – No manual

of style

Major Areas of Work/Discussion:

Added exceptions/exemptions

Modifying figures and their dimensions to match text

Adding “Gates” to requirements for doors

Modifications to Communications

Signage

Parking & related exterior

Plumbing – Toilets-Drinking –Manufacturing changes

Bed height – new

Some History on Scoping in A117.1

• 1986 edition - removed scoping requirements

• 1987 - the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) assumed the Secretariat.

• Relies on Bldg. Codes for scoping

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Some History on Scoping in A117.1

• 2000 – “Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility”

A117.1 - 2015 Ed.– Scoping Task Group• A117 Scope and Objectives: Evaluate whether and/or to what

extent scoping should be included to the standard. Make recommendations to the Committee for revising the scope of the standard accordingly.

• Tasks: Considerations include, but are not limited to, the following: • Scoping for new construction.• Scoping for existing buildings, which can include some or all of:

• Changes of occupancy.• Alterations.• Retrospective application of accessibility, such as the DOJ barrier removal concept.

A117.1 - 2015 Ed. - Scoping Task Group

• If recommending yes to any scoping, consider the following:• Evaluate options for the format in which scoping can be incorporated and

recommend a format (i.e. separate chapter, separate document, dispersed within current text, etc.)

• Evaluate whether any changes to the committee make-up or structure are needed to maintain the standard.

• If recommending no to scoping, consider the following:• Provide recommendations on how scoping would or could be included in the

standard, consistent with #3 above, if scoping were to be included.• Make recommendations on whether and/or to what extent the Committee

should provide guidance to model code organizations and other scoping entities on the development of scoping provisions.

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A117.1 - 2015 Ed. - Scoping Task Group

• Review current provisions in the standard that are, or appear to be, scoping and make recommendations on the disposition of those provisions.

• Document in writing the pros and cons of each major issue and recommendation considered by the Task Group (i.e. anticipate the broad discussion by the full Committee and provide a summary of all sides of your deliberations).

Harmonization – 2010 ADA Standard

• 82 Proposals from the Harmonization Task Group

• Use of the word “accessible”• Definitions• Exceptions not in A117.1• Clean up language

• Change in levels• Exceptions/Permitted to be

Remove Type “B” (Fair Housing) Units

• Added in 1998

• Series of three (3) proposals to remove

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Anthropomorphic – Adult v. Child

• 23 proposals• Chapter 6 - 12 • Chapter 3 – 3 • Chapter 4 – 1 • Chapter 5 – 4 • Chapter 8 – 2 • Chapter 9 – 1

Signage Related

• 25 Proposals

Gates and Doors

• Doors and gates – 29 places • These provide consistent language

with the ADA. ADA consistently uses

gates when discussing doors. The

amendments through this section are

simply providing consistent coverage.

The exception to Section 404.1 is

relocating an existing exception found

in A117.1 Section 404.2 and others to

a location similar to ADA.

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Bed Height

• Three (3) proposals• Transfer• Equipment

Add ADA Definitions

Add following new definitions.

106.5 Defined terms

circulation path. An exterior or interior way of passage provided for pedestrian travel, including but not limited to, walks, hallways, courtyards, elevators, platform lifts, ramps, stairways, and landings.

common use. Interior or exterior circulation paths, rooms, spaces, or elements that are not for public use and are made available for the shared use of two or more people.

employee work area. All or any portion of a space used only by employees and used only for work. Corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas.

• Three (3) proposals

Parking & Other Exterior

• Twenty-seven (27) proposals

Add new text as follows:

402.4. Parking. Accessible routes shall be located so that users are not required to wheel or walk behind parked vehicles or in traffic lanes.

Exceptions: 1. Users are permitted to wheel or walk behind the vehicle from which they exited.

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Size of Floor Spaces & Related (23 proposals)

Revise as follows:

305.3 Size. The clear floor space shall be 48 54 inches (1220 1360mm) minimum in length and 30 32inches (760 802 mm) minimum in width.

The proposed revisions are based on new anthropometric information that was generated from the database of anthropometric measurements developed as part of the study.

Modifications to Reach Ranges

• Twelve (12) Proposals

Add/Modify Exceptions

• Twenty Three (23) Proposals

Revise as follows:

608.4.2 Standard Roll-in Showers. In standard roll-in showers, the controls and hand shower shall be located on the back wall above the grab bar, 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the shower floor and 16 inches (405 mm) minimum and 27 inches (685 mm) maximum from the end wall behind the seat.

EXCEPTION: Additional controls and hand shower shall be permitted on the end wall opposite the seat wall of a standard roll-in shower.

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Modifying Figures to Match Text

• Twenty four (24) Proposals

Modifications to Communications

• Thirty six (36) proposals

Revise as follows:

705.3 Contrast. Detectable warning surfaces shall contrast visually with adjacent surfaces, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of the surfaces shall contrast 70 percent minimum, as determined in accordance with Equation 7-1r. The lighter surface shall have a LRV of not less than 45.

Plumbing Modifications

• One Hundred Thirty (130) Proposals

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Clarifying Language

• Forty-two (42) Proposals

Revise as follows:

404.3.5 Controls Switches. Manually operated controlsswitches shall comply with Section 309. The clear floor space adjacent to the control switch shall be located beyond the arc of the door swing.

How Important is the 2015 Edition of A117.1?

• Accessibility isn’t just the law……….

• Its very good business!

• But only if we make businesses accessible!!!!!!!

Millions of people with disabilities are passionate travelers. However, they need to overcome numerous troubles because of the lack of attention tourism stakeholders pay to this group of globetrotters. 

Questions?

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We’ll be glad to sign up at the DARAC booth #914!

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Thank YouCEUs: To receive CEUs for this session, scan your badge at 

the back of the room before leaving

Evaluation:  Complete the session evaluation on the mobile app. (To download, search your app store for ‘NFPA 2014 C&E.’)

Handouts: Handouts will be available via the mobile app or at nfpa.org/conference

Recordings: Audio recordings will be available.  To order, see Fleetwood Media Productions (at Breakers Registration desk) or visit nfpa.org/conference

2014 NFPA Conference & Expo

Contact Info:Allan B. Fraser, CBI, CPCASenior Building Code Spec.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Assoc.)

1 Batterymarch ParkQuincy, MA 02169

Phone: 617-984-7411e-Mail: afraser@nfpa.org

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